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Photo of a Opel Astra

Opel Astra

The 1995 Astra Caravan: the best-selling wagon across all classes.1

Researched October 23, 2026 from 27 sources

At a glance

0150300
56–276 hpPower
07.515
5.9–12.4 s0–60 mph
0125250
188–250 km/hTop speed
0200400
103–400 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
933–1,682 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1237910

Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive2
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals; 4/5/8/9-speed automatics; CVT246
Units built
Astra G: 3.95 million in continental Europe by July 20088

The story

Created to replace the Kadett in 1991, the Astra spans six Opel generations. The family has worn Vauxhall, Holden, Chevrolet and Saturn badges, with Bertone convertibles and turbo OPCs broadening its reach.23

1998: Astra G: Lotus chassis, natural gas19981999: 3,000 Astra G OPCs sell in four months19992005: H OPC posts 8:35.94 at the Nürburgring20052016: Astra K wins European Car of the Year20162019: 2019 facelift: turbo triples and a CVT20192023: GSe and Astra Electric join the family20232026: Astra L facelift ends the manual era2026 Opel Kadett B (B): 1965–1973BOpel Kadett C (C): 1973–1979COpel Kadett D (D): 1979–1984DOpel Kadett E (E): 1984–1998EOpel Astra F (F / T91): 1991–2003F / T91Opel Astra G (G / T98): 1998–2009G / T98Opel Astra K (K): 2015–2022K 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones24151920
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1965–1973Opel Kadett B (B)
1973–1979Opel Kadett C (C)
1979–1984Opel Kadett D (D)
1984–1998Opel Kadett E (E)
1991–2003Opel Astra F (F / T91)
1998–2009Opel Astra G (G / T98)
2015–2022Opel Astra K (K)
1998Astra G: Lotus chassis, natural gas
19993,000 Astra G OPCs sell in four months
2005H OPC posts 8:35.94 at the Nürburgring
2016Astra K wins European Car of the Year
20192019 facelift: turbo triples and a CVT
2023GSe and Astra Electric join the family
2026Astra L facelift ends the manual era
  1. 1998

    Astra G: Lotus chassis, natural gas

    The spring launch introduces the Astra G. Lotus tunes its chassis, and the generation also offers a natural-gas engine.2

  2. 1999

    3,000 Astra G OPCs sell in four months

    The original OPC gets a naturally aspirated 2.0 L with 158 hp, forged pistons, Bilstein dampers and Recaro seats for its homologation mission.3

  3. 2005

    H OPC posts 8:35.94 at the Nürburgring

    The Astra H OPC arrives with a 237 hp 2.0 L turbo. An 8:35.94 Nordschleife lap earns a claimed compact-class record.3

  4. 2016

    Astra K wins European Car of the Year

    UK launch engines span 99–197 hp gasoline units and 109–158 hp 1.6 CDTi diesels; the Astra K follows its October 2015 arrival with the European title.4

  5. 2019

    2019 facelift: turbo triples and a CVT

    September's facelift brings turbo gasoline and diesel triples, a CVT for the 1.4 L gasoline engine and a nine-speed auto for the stronger 1.5 L diesel.4

  6. 2023

    GSe and Astra Electric join the family

    The GSe brings 222 hp, Koni frequency-selective dampers and a 10 mm ride-height drop. Astra Electric also joins the range.56

  7. 2026

    Astra L facelift ends the manual era

    The Electric battery grows from 54 to 58 kWh; manual gearboxes disappear, and the sporting GSE plug-in hybrid leaves the lineup.7

Every generation

  • Opel Kadett B
    B1965–1973
  • Opel Kadett C
    C1973–1979
  • Opel Kadett D
    D1979–1984
  • Opel Kadett E
    E1984–1998
  • Opel Astra F
    F / T911991–2003
  • Opel Astra G
    G / T981998–2009
  • Opel Astra K
    K2015–2022

Power over the years

From 148 hp to 276 hp in 21 years.

0100200300 19901995200020052010201520202025 hp 1991 · 148 hp · Astra F GSi 2.0 16V1995 · 134 hp · Astra F GSi Ecotec 2.01995 · 201 hp · South African Astra 200tS1999 · 158 hp · Astra G OPC, naturally aspirated2002 · 197 hp · Astra G OPC Turbo / Caravan2005 · 237 hp · Astra H OPC 2.0 Turbo2012 · 276 hp · Astra J OPC 2.0 Turbo2015 · 197 hp · Astra K 1.6T2019 · 143 hp · 2019 1.2 Turbo / 1.4 CVT2023 · 222 hp · Astra GSe plug-in hybrid2026 · 154 hp · Astra Electric, 2026 facelift2026 · 193 hp · Astra L plug-in hybrid, facelift 276 hp Astra J OPC 2.0 Turbo 148 hp Astra F GSi 2.0 16V
123457
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1991148Astra F GSi 2.0 16V
1995134Astra F GSi Ecotec 2.0
1995201South African Astra 200tS
1999158Astra G OPC, naturally aspirated
2002197Astra G OPC Turbo / Caravan
2005237Astra H OPC 2.0 Turbo
2012276Astra J OPC 2.0 Turbo
2015197Astra K 1.6T
20191432019 1.2 Turbo / 1.4 CVT
2023222Astra GSe plug-in hybrid
2026154Astra Electric, 2026 facelift
2026193Astra L plug-in hybrid, facelift

Versions

8 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Astra K facelift

    Standard

    Astra K facelift

    2019–2022

  • Astra G Bertone Coupé / Cabrio

    Special

    Astra G Bertone Coupé / Cabrio

    2000–2005

  • Astra F GSi 16V (early body kit)

    Performance

    Astra F GSi 16V (early body kit)

    1991–1994

    148 hp
  • Astra G OPC 1 / OPC 2

    Performance

    Astra G OPC 1 / OPC 2

  • Astra H OPC / VXR

    Performance

    Astra H OPC / VXR

    237 hp
  • Astra J OPC / VXR

    Performance

    Astra J OPC / VXR

    276 hp
  • Astra GSe

    Performance

    Astra GSe

    225 hp
  • Astra H OPC Nürburgring Edition

    Limited

    Astra H OPC Nürburgring Edition

    2008

    237 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Astra F: unusually slender roof pillars.1516
  • Astra G: trapezoid grille integrated into the hood.816
  • Vauxhall Mk5: broad trapezoid grille stretching between the headlights.16
  • Astra K: the rising side-window line kicks up toward a floating-looking roof.416
  • Astra L: the Vizor front panel groups the headlights into one face.6717

Year by year

  1. 1994

    Astra F facelift: larger Opel emblem, clear front turn signals and reshaped side mirrors.2

  2. 1995

    The Astra F Sport successor to the GSi loses the sports body kit.2

  3. 1997 (UK GSi)

    Returning GSi gets a vent-free hood, fluted side skirts, a brake-light spoiler and chrome 2.0 16v badges.15

  4. November 2000

    Astra G Coupé rear lettering drops Astra, leaving just Coupé.28

  5. September 2002

    Astra G OPC 2 gains distinct bumpers and side skirts; darkened lights also appear on regular variants.8

  6. 2026

    Astra L facelift: slimmer Vizor panel, pronounced light bars and an illuminated Opel lightning-bolt emblem.7

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Opel Astra
    Astra
    Photo of a Volkswagen Golf
    Volkswagen Golf

    Volkswagen Golf

    The Astra L's angular rear can look similar; check the front for the Astra's Vizor grille.718

  • Opel Kadett E

    Its teardrop body and large C-pillar extraction vent contrast with the Astra F's very thin roof pillars.151619

Against its rivals

  • Ford Focus RS

    Astra vs Ford Focus RS

    Power

    Astra276 hp
    Ford Focus RS300 hp
    9
  • Renaultsport Mégane 265 Cup

    Astra vs Renaultsport Mégane 265 Cup

    Price lower is better

    Astra26,995 £
    Renaultsport Mégane 265 Cup24,825 £
    9
  • Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125

    Astra vs Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125

    Power

    Astra129 hp
    Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125123 hp
    18

  • Astra vs Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI 130 Style

    Price lower is better

    Astra27,210 £
    Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI 130 Style27,765 £
    18

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 8 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “24 hours at 200 km/h, pit stops included”
    • “8 DTM wins, Reuter runner-up”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 27 sources
  1. Opel Astra F – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  2. Opel Astra - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. 15 years of OPC – Opel sports cars for the road | Car Insurance carinsurance.arrivealive.co.za
  4. Used Vauxhall Astra (Mk7, 2015-2022) review and buyer's guide | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  5. Used Vauxhall Astra (Mk8, 2022-date) buyer’s guide: popular hatch is more tempting than ever | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  6. Opel Astra GSe (2023) review | CompleteCar.ie completecar.ie
  7. Testfahrt Opel Astra L: Was das Facelift 2026 gebracht hat adac.de
  8. Opel Astra G – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  9. Vauxhall Astra VXR vs Renaultsport Megane 265 vs Ford Focus RS | evo evo.co.uk
  10. Vauxhall/Opel Astra Twintop Buying Guide convertiblecarmagazine.com
  11. Ascona C Info Seite - Astra G Sondermodelle - International ascona-info.de
  12. Vauxhall Astra VXR - Fast Fleet | evo evo.co.uk
  13. Opel Kadett 200ts y Opel Astra 200t. Así eran, con motor de Opel Calibra Turbo 4x4 motorpasion.com
  14. Opel Astra OPC EXTREME prototipo (2014) | Información general - km77.com km77.com
  15. Vauxhall Astra - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. Magnificent Seven: Vauxhall Astra through the generations | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. An Astra Full of Emotion - Opel POST opelpost.com
  18. Vauxhall Astra vs Ford Focus vs Volkswagen Golf: 2022 group test review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  19. Opel Kadett E - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Opel Kadett - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Rennfahrzeug Opel Astra Coupe DTM (2000) | Speedsport Magazine speedsport-magazine.de
  22. Bye-bye to the Astra – TouringCarTimes touringcartimes.com
  23. Abstimmungstestfahrten auf dem Nürburgring - Vater-Sohn-Team Schall übernimmt Astra V8 Coupé | ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie nuerburgring-langstrecken-serie.de
  24. Opel Astra CDTi sets 24-hour record iol.co.za
  25. 'Top Gear' reasonably priced car sells at auction for charity autoweek.com
  26. Celebrate British Automotive in Forza Horizon 6 forza.net
  27. Used Vauxhall Astra buying guide: 2004-09 (Mk5) & 2009-15 (Mk6) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • carinsurance.arrivealive.co.za
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • completecar.ie
  • adac.de
  • evo.co.uk
  • convertiblecarmagazine.com
  • ascona-info.de
  • motorpasion.com
  • km77.com
  • opelpost.com
  • speedsport-magazine.de
  • touringcartimes.com

Photo credits

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